Resolution Minerals Limited (ASX: RML; OTCQB: RLMLF) is advancing exploration and development at the past-producing Golden Gate Tungsten Mine within its Horse Heaven Project in Idaho, USA. The Company has appointed David R. Hembree, the former mine geologist at Golden Gate, to accelerate tungsten exploration activities as prices reach record highs. Mr Hembree brings 45 years of geological experience and direct knowledge of tungsten production at Golden Gate
Figure 1: Resolution Minerals
The move comes as tungsten prices hit a record high of $900 per mtu (APT) and are expected to rise significantly in 2026. Resolution is nearing completion of due diligence on its acquisition of the historic Johnson Creek Mill, which includes an estimated 2,000 tonnes of tungsten ore stockpiles from Golden Gate. The mill site sits on 15 acres of private land directly adjacent to the Horse Heaven Project.
Historic Production Confirms Tungsten Potential
The Golden Gate Tungsten Mine produced tungsten ore intermittently from approximately 1952 to 1980. Ore from Golden Gate was processed at the nearby Stibnite Mill in the 1950s, and then at the Johnson Creek Mill until approximately 1980.
Historical records show the mine produced strong grades across multiple campaigns:
- 1950s: 1,814 tonnes mined and milled at an average grade of 1.5% WO₃
- 1973: 227 tonnes processed at an average grade of 2.03% WO₃
- 1977: 456.6 tonnes mined and stockpiled at an average grade of 1.8% WO₃
In 1979 and 1980, underground mining at Golden Gate produced a reported 1,905 tonnes of mill feed that was stockpiled. These tungsten stockpiles remain on-site and are part of the proposed Johnson Creek Mill acquisition.
Figure 2: Historic underground workings at the Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, Idaho, USA [Resolution Minerals]
David R. Hembree Appointment Brings Direct Mine Experience
David R. Hembree served as mine geologist at Golden Gate Tungsten Mine in 1980 and 1981 while employed with TRV Minerals Corp. His direct experience at the mine, combined with his broader experience as a mine geologist at several operating mines in the United States, including Mount Hamilton, French Gulch, and Mineral Ridge, provides the Company with strategic insight into the Project’s tungsten potential.
Figure 3: David R. Hembree, former mine geologist at the Golden Gate Tungsten Mine [LinkedIn]
Near-term work includes data compilation and assessment, metallurgical testing on historic stockpiles of tungsten mined at the Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, ground-based sampling, geophysics, and a drill programme to be initiated in June 2026.
Craig Lindsay, CEO of US Operations, commented:
“We are fortunate to have connected with Mr. Hembree, who has a strong knowledge of historic tungsten exploration and production at Horse Heaven, and will be invaluable as Resolution begins the process of targeting additional tungsten resources at Horse Heaven. Based on our work to date, we are confident additional ore remains at the historic Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, as was as at other emerging targets at Horse Heaven. Dave, with his understanding of the historic workings and mineralisation, has already provided excellent insight into where we should be focusing future tungsten-oriented drilling activities.”
Figure 4: Craig Lindsay, CEO of U.S. Operations at Resolution Minerals [Resolution Minerals]
Dave Hembree stated:
“I am very excited to be back working at the Horse Heaven Project and am eager to put my knowledge on the Project’s tungsten potential to work. There is a clear path to resource growth at the historic mine, and I am aware of other targets that have yet to be explored. For instance, to the south of the historic mine there is a significant tungsten anomaly identified through a historic soil sampling program that has never been drilled. The broader Project, beyond Golden Gate, is a target-rich environment.”
Johnson Creek Mill Acquisition Progressing
Resolution Minerals previously announced on 31 October 2025 that it had entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Johnson Creek Tungsten & Antimony Mill, and Antimony Camp properties. The acquisition includes approximately 2,000 tonnes of tungsten ore mined from the Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, as well as industrial water rights.
Figure 5: Johnson Creek Tungsten and Antimony Mill, located adjacent to the Horse Heaven Project, Idaho [Resolution Minerals]
The acquisition offers several strategic advantages:
- Private land for potential processing and milling activities
- Additional permitting flexibility relative to public lands
- Positions Horse Heaven as a potential US hub for critical metal production
- Enables partnerships for downstream integration including smelting and refining
- Secures strategic base camp location for expanded operations
The processing mill and stockpiles sit on 15 acres of private land directly adjacent to the Horse Heaven Project. Private land is in short supply locally, making this acquisition strategically valuable from both operational and permitting perspectives.
Strategic Location in Critical Minerals Corridor
The Horse Heaven Project is located in the Boise National Forest, covering approximately 59 square kilometres of land immediately adjacent to the fully-permitted A$5 billion Stibnite Gold Project operated by Perpetua Resources Corp (NYSE: PPTA).
Figure 6: Location map of the Horse Heaven Project relative to the Stibnite Gold Project, Idaho, USA [Resolution Minerals]
The Stibnite Gold Project has received up to $74 million in United States Department of Defense funding for antimony development. Historic production at Stibnite yielded over 980,000 ounces of gold, 13.5 million pounds of tungsten, and 88 million pounds of antimony during World War II and the Korean War.
Infrastructure improvements supporting the development of the Stibnite Mine, including a new access road and a new transmission line, will also benefit Horse Heaven.
Market Dynamics Support Development Timeline
The United States tungsten market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.9 per cent from 2025 to 2033. Tungsten pricing is expected to increase in 2026, driven mainly by China’s export controls, limited new mine development, and rising strategic demand from defence, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.
Figure 7: Global tungsten market size outlook by product segment, 2023–2033 [Grand View Research]
Tungsten prices have climbed to unprecedented levels, driven by supply constraints and rising demand from defence, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing sectors. The global tungsten market was valued at $1.86 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach $2.84 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 4.7 per cent.
Figure 8: Key industrial, defence, and technology applications of tungsten
Next Steps for Tungsten Development
Near-term work on tungsten at the Horse Heaven Project includes data compilation and assessment, metallurgical testing on historic stockpiles of tungsten mined at Golden Gate, ground-based sampling, geophysics and a drill programme to be initiated in June 2026.
The Company will advise the market on next steps for the Johnson Creek Mill acquisition in due course. The acquisition of this mill site will significantly enhance Resolution’s ability to aggressively advance its efforts to play a major near-term role in meeting United States demand for domestic critical metals production.
Investor Outlook
Resolution Minerals Limited (ASX: RML) is positioning itself as a strategic player in the United States critical minerals sector at a time of heightened policy support and market demand for domestically-sourced tungsten.
Share price activity (as of 19 January 2026):
- Last price: $0.080 per share
- 52-week range: $0.007 to $0.150 per share
- Market capitalisation: $155.50 million
Figure 9: Resolution Minerals share price performance over the past year [ASX]
The Company’s next catalysts include completion of Johnson Creek Mill acquisition due diligence, metallurgical testwork results on historic tungsten stockpiles, commencement of the June 2026 drill programme, and continued evaluation of emerging tungsten targets across the broader Horse Heaven Project. With tungsten prices at record highs and strategic demand accelerating, Resolution appears well-positioned to capitalise on favourable market dynamics.
